No 31 Kailua Neighborhood Board Regular Meeting April 2026
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31 Kailua Neighborhood Board Meeting – April 6, 2026
Call to Order and Board Attendance
The meeting was called to order with an explanation that the usual chair and vice-chair were both off-island, leaving the treasurer to preside. Attendance was taken, confirming a quorum of board members present both in-person and remotely. Some members were noted as present in the parking lot or tardy, but eventually the board determined it had enough members recognized to conduct official business.
Rules of Speaking and Meeting Protocol
The chair reminded everyone that they must be recognized before speaking, whether in person or online. Those participating remotely were instructed to use the “raise hand” function, limit their remarks to three minutes, and direct all comments to the chair. The chat box could be used for simple questions, but official statements required voice acknowledgment. Those speaking at the microphone were asked to position it appropriately to ensure clarity. The board emphasized these rules to maintain order and fairness during the meeting.
Announcements
The board announced that the mayor would host a town hall meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Waimanalo District Park Gym starting at 6:30 p.m. Residents could ask the mayor and various city directors about any city or county department matters. The annual “I Love Kailua Town Party” was scheduled for Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Kailua Road, inviting the community to gather and support local businesses and organizations. Hawaiian Electric planned a public meeting on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at the Windward Community College Haleakawa Room 113 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to discuss renewable energy zones and to gather feedback on future energy project sites. The board also noted a pilot project modifying Kailua Beach Park’s operating hours, which started in September 2025 and had proven effective. Anyone traversing parks after-hours could only do so in transit to the ocean or for cultural reasons, with no loitering allowed.
Oahu Pentathlon 2026 Proposal
A representative from the Oahu Pentathlon appeared seeking the board’s support for the sixth annual race scheduled for August 8–9, 2026. The event would include a sunrise swim from Kailua Boat Ramp to Castles Beach, transitioning into a run, paddling, bicycling, and a sandbag-carry challenge. Organizers estimated 40 to 50 athletic units competing, with about 75 to 100 people at checkpoints. The Kailua portion would run from about 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Sunday for cyclists finishing back at the Kailua Boat Ramp. The event had submitted permit requests to various agencies such as the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Transportation Services. Organizers planned to hire off-duty police officers during nighttime hours at the boat ramp and emphasize traffic law compliance for participants. They also mentioned the use of Pacific Ocean Patrol to ensure water safety.
Street Name Corrections and Alelo Hawaii Updates
The Hawaii Department of Transportation was reported to be clarifying spelling and diacritical marks for certain Hawaiian street names under its jurisdiction. The department asked for community input regarding proper place names by December 31, 2026. The eventual goal is to replace older street signs with those that accurately reflect the Hawaiian language, including appropriate ‘okina and kahakō.
Honolulu Police Department Report
A sergeant from HPD’s Kailua-Waimanalo night operations division provided statistics for March 2026. The area reported zero motor vehicle thefts compared to five the previous month, two burglaries compared to five, and 18 thefts compared to 21. There were two unauthorized entries into motorized vehicles, up from zero. No robberies occurred in March compared to one in February. Several cases involving burglary and repeated thefts were resolved with arrests and charges. HPD noted they had received complaints regarding electric bikes and were asked to track citations or incidents involving multiple riders or unsafe use. The sergeant agreed to communicate those concerns to the department.
Honolulu Fire Department Report
A captain from the Kailua Fire Station spoke about March 2026 statistics. The area had two structure fires, four nuisance fires, three cooking fires, and 14 alarms triggered with no actual fire. Emergency responses included 111 medical calls, four vehicle crashes, three mountain rescues (with two at Lanikai Pillbox and one at Likeke Falls), three ocean rescues, and three hazardous materials incidents. The department encouraged residents to establish emergency evacuation plans and to have two routes out of their neighborhood when possible. They also advised everyone to leave early in emergencies to avoid being caught in traffic or dangerous conditions. Further details were available on the Honolulu Fire Department website.
Honolulu Ocean Safety Department Report
An Ocean Safety lifeguard EMT covering District 2, from Sandy Beach to Kalama Beach, shared statistics for March 2026. Crews responded to two near drownings, multiple ocean rescues (including distressed swimmers and kayakers), and a boating incident near Pyramid Rock. There were four medical trauma cases relating to breathing difficulties and potential spinal injuries, as well as eight law-enforcement-related incidents such as fights or vehicles driving onto beaches. Community members asked about ongoing brown water advisories, particularly around Castles Beach, which often experiences runoff from Kawai Nui Marsh. Residents were reminded that signs about brown water advisories are handled by state health or environmental departments, though Ocean Safety is open to coordinating improved signage.
Board of Water Supply Updates
The BWS representative joined remotely and described one water main break on Hohani Street during March 2026. The board was informed about upcoming “Detect a Leak Week,” encouraging residents to find and fix household leaks. BWS remains engaged in identifying and repairing hydrants, none of which were currently out of service in the Kailua area. They discussed the Kapaa water tank construction project, which was partially on hold pending contractor availability and a Hawaiian Electric utility pole removal. Residents raised questions about other water main breaks and asked if the future Kapaa reservoir capacity would consider possible new housing developments.
Community and Residential Concerns
The board heard from multiple community members about important neighborhood issues. One community member, Malia, expressed appreciation for progress made at Kailua Pulu Mini (Triangle) Park, thanking city officials and local representatives for support in enhancing the grass and park facilities to ensure keiki and kupuna can safely walk barefoot there again. Another representative from Chick-fil-A Hawaii notified the board about exploratory plans to open a drive-through-only location at the corner of Hamakua and Hohani Streets, noting the many steps and public processes that would follow, including traffic studies and environmental assessments, over the next three years. A co-founder of Bolo Bolo Espresso thanked Kailua residents for supporting their local business as they prepare to open a new location, hoping to remain good neighbors. Another resident raised concerns about Enchanted Lakes property boundaries, conflicting with the official deed size, and ongoing disputes over maintenance fees and legal authority within homeowners’ associations.
Mayor’s Representative Report
The mayor’s liaison summarized the mayor’s newsletter and the city’s continued involvement in Kona Low storm recovery efforts. The official recognized challenges with individuals living unhoused in city parks, stating that outreach teams had tried to connect them with services, but those individuals can still remain legally in public areas during open hours if they refuse help. The board reiterated concerns about certain roads, especially Kapaa Quarry Road, which tends to flood and block access to the transfer station and the industrial park during major storms. Members stressed the importance of keeping that corridor open for waste disposal and emergency repairs.
Governor’s Representative Report
The governor’s representative shared that the state’s emergency management agency continues to monitor storm recovery, including housing availability and infrastructure repairs. Some housing resources had opened at Schofield Barracks for displaced North Shore communities. The representative encouraged everyone to prepare for possible future storms and recommended the ready.hawaii.gov website for up-to-date alerts and preparedness tips. The board asked the governor’s office to consider further statewide resiliency planning to mitigate future storm effects and coordinate multi-level government partnerships.
Councilmember Esther Kiaʻāina’s Updates
Councilmember Kiaʻāina discussed ongoing budget considerations for Honolulu, highlighting significant CIP allocations for Kailua. She listed $62.2 million in Kailua Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements and $11 million for Kapaa Transfer Station renovations. There was also a proposal to set aside $500,000 for Kailua-area traffic calming measures, emphasizing an urgent need for speed bumps on Kaha and Kaipiʻi Streets, though the community still needed to submit petitions showing 90% neighborhood agreement. She mentioned the city’s continuing implementation of reduced speed limits around schools and possible future efforts to extend that around key public parks.
Reports from State Legislators
Representative Lisa Marten
Rep. Marten highlighted the legislative crossover period, during which House and Senate bills advance to the opposite chamber. She discussed a bill making it simpler for residents to apply for multiple state benefits through a single portal and described proposed legislation banning products containing so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS). She also cited a measure to help curb predatory towing, sparked by community concerns near ‘Ilamanui Beach Park, and confirmed that some contentious bills allowing tiny lots or eliminating parking minimums in residential areas had died this session.
Representative Micah Lee (via Staff)
A representative for Rep. Micah Lee discussed the progress of measures related to labor, e-bike safety requirements, strengthening the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council, and reducing roadway noise pollution, especially near major highways. It was noted that Rep. Lee has been nominated to a national leadership program, placing him in a position to showcase Hawaii’s legislative priorities in a broader context.
Representative Jill Tokuda (via Staff)
A representative for Congresswoman Tokuda reported on continued collaboration with state and city agencies to address storm debris and long-term recovery on Oahu’s North Shore. The office has joined with the entire Hawaii Congressional Delegation to request a major disaster declaration from the President, which would release federal funds. Meanwhile, Tokuda’s team will be present weekly at the city’s Wailua Recovery Assistance Center to help residents obtain replacements for lost federal documents such as passports or Social Security cards.
Historic Preservation Commission on Unmarked Hawaiian Burials
A commission member presented information on the large number of unmarked Native Hawaiian burials potentially resting beneath various parts of Kailua. Data suggests the remains could number in the thousands, with St. Anthony’s area highlighted as having a particularly high concentration. The commission has been responding to concerns from Hawaiian civic groups who want better protections for these ancestors. Three major initiatives include creating sensitivity maps showing high-probability zones, extending historic preservation tax credits to encourage private owners to become “burial stewards,” and developing a memorandum of agreement between the State Historic Preservation Division and the city’s Department of Planning and Permitting. The goal is to alert landowners in sensitive areas before they begin construction and to streamline the permitting process for safeguarding ancestral remains. The commission urged community members to advocate for these measures and to collaborate in protecting unmarked burials.
GROW Pilot Program: Green Recycling Organic Waste
A representative from the Department of Environmental Services introduced the Green Recycling Organic Waste (GROW) program, which began April 1, 2026, in select regions including Kailua. The intent is to divert food waste from the general waste stream and into green compost bins alongside yard clippings. This move is part of the larger effort to reduce reliance on both H-Power incineration and landfills, aiming for a 95% landfill diversion rate by 2030. Residents can include fruits, vegetables, dairy, bread, meat, bones, eggshells, and coffee grounds in the green carts, but plastic, oils, and manufactured compostable materials containing PFAS are disallowed. Officials recommended freezing scraps or using baking soda to reduce odors. This program is a pilot scheduled to expand island-wide in October 2026, with city officials committed to ongoing public education and adjustments as data is gathered.
Board Business and Closing
Before adjournment, the board confirmed and approved minutes from December 2025, February 2026, and March 2026. A procedural note was addressed regarding a board member’s three absences during the current term due to travel and illness, but the board chose to retain that member. Committees were reminded to submit their May agendas promptly. With no further new business, the meeting adjourned, concluding another regular session that combined updates on vital community concerns, long-term infrastructure projects, and innovative new programs designed to elevate public health, safety, and quality of life in Kailua.